Archive By Author - Karen LaPierre

BARTON COUNTY - In an effort to promote tourism and to bring that added economic benefit to the area, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Tourism and the Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau are looking for agricultural operations, including cow-calf that will offer tours of their farm.

"Always Ask, Always Act," said Dr. Jason Deselms, suicide prevention coordinator for the VA Hospital and city of Wichita. In an effort to increase understanding of suicide and how to prevent it, Dr. Deselms spoke to area residents on Wednesday on "Break the silence: Responding to suicide risk in your community."

HOLYROOD - The USD 112 Capital Improvement Committee, whose members are patrons of the district, reported to the Central Plains school board Monday night on improvements they think are needed at the schools in the next five years.

On Nov. 5, 2011, the lives of an area family changed forever when 17-year-old Thomas Karlin committed suicide. Coming as a complete shock to his family, friends and church, the handsome, friendly young man was – unknown to those that loved him – silently tormented by pain and angst.

One of the last acts of some sorrowful, angry minds, a suicide shatters everyone it touches. From the searing, indescribable pain afflicted upon family members, friends and even acquaintances, suicide wounds the hearts of loved ones, and what they thought they once knew, changed.

Shame on federal judge, Mark Wolf, in Boston who ordered the Massachusetts Department of Corrections to provide sex-change surgery to a transgender inmate serving life in prison for murdering his wife in 1990.

HOISINGTON - Resplendent in jewels, colorful ballerina dresses, and twirling and blowing kisses to the friendly audience, the Hoisington Labor Day Princess was once again coronated the 116th annual Hoisington Labor Day Celebration.